Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-07-23

TIE TEXAS CATTLE TRADE.
The dispatches in THE GAZETTE yes
terdsy morning from Denver, Col, re-
veal a condition OF affairs most discour-
aging to the cattle interests of Texas.
Out of the 10000 head Of cattle driven
from this state so far this season $4,000
are said to have been ordered back.
This Is q terrible blow to Texas cattle
men, and one that they have long been
expecting. II has been admitted by the
most prominent cattlemen in the stste
that the practice of driving Texas cattle
west in herds must soon come to an end,
and while it was not expected so soon, it
was looked for eventually. Texas is a.
present Cverstocked With cattle. The
return Of 52,OOO,O0O worth to the ranges
will doubtless have the effect Of putting
prices down, unless some method Of
getting the annual product 20 the mar
kets is devised. The only plan feasible
is that which has been experimental with
heretofore, and which has resulted IN
satisfactorily owing to the lack of Cohe-
stveness and unsnimity among cattle
men. The various attempts made st
refrigerating beef have heretofore
been futile because OF the fG-
cilities offered ranchmen for dis
posing of their herds by driving
them out OF the state. From the tenor of
the dispatches, it must reasonably be.
inferred that the leading cattlemen have
81 last reached the conclusion that the
days Of "the trstI'' no longer exist. The
rapid development and settlement eff the
west has practically obitersted and
blocked up this outlet, and other means
must now be sought. With the abandon
ment of the trail must follow the aban-
donment of its adjunct, the ranch, and
instead of the latter the cattle interests
must be confined to the stock farm. This
change will in no way cause dIminu
ton in the cattle product Of the state, as
is shown by the fsct that the increase in
stock in 1856 over 1885 was caused by the
enormous increase in what are known as
strictly agricultural counties IN Texas
The number of cattle on the ranges proper
actually decreased. The only question
pressing for solution at present
seems to be that which will af-
ford means of Transporting this
product to the markets Of the world, and
the only solution offered so far is the
erection and maintenance OF refrigera-
tors. For the present, three establish
ments of capacity would consume 8
sufficient number of Texas cattle TO avoid
an overcrowding, Corpus Christi, being
favored wi tn port facilities would be a
suitable location for large refrigerator;
50, also, would San Antonio. These |
points could ship By water and are ad-
Eirably situsted. Fort Worth has the
advantage of either place in that she has
alresdy large establishment which can |
be started in q weeks time and from this !
point beef cal be shipped either by rail
or by water vie Corpus Christi The
Of Texss are deeply interested |
in this project; in fact, the salvation of
their large business depends entirely
uponit. The GAZETTE hopes soon to
see these enterpEising gentlemen turn
their attention to the matter and save
themselves and the cattle interests of the
state from impending ruin. 1t is plain
business proposition which a moments
will demonstrate is not only
feasible but absolutely neces-
,sry.